Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-10-06
STRUGGLE WITH PRIDE

If 1 were single, and had your OPP
portunities, in less than six months ]
should be Mrs. Chesneyw
p And Mrs. Vane's musical laugh rang
| out as she watched the lovely face OF
her sister flushing and paling so pain
fully under her steady gaze.
Il wish you would not speak in that
! way, Clara. Itiswo than heartlessr'
cried Rita passionately.
Clara Vane leaned further back on
the luxurious cushion, entirely unmoved
| by her sisters Indignation.
s'My dear Rita, to succeed in this
world you should do away with all
heart, and"
Rita rose to her feet. All the alright
| cc.or had died out of her face
my life will be a failure, then, for
| | do not intend to adopt any such
creedr
And throwing the roses she had been
arranging on the table, she left the
| room.
Once in her own room, she threw
| herself down beside the bed, passion
| sobs breaking from her lips.
How can she be so cruel?" Sobbed
the poor girl.
And feeling of bitter shame swept
over her as she recalled all her sisters
man9uvres to entrap the handsome
young stranger.
Mrs. Vane was thorough woman
of the world. She had married her
husband for his position and wealth,
and she determined that her young
sister, who lived with her, should fol
low in her footsteps.
But, alasi for her ambitious schemes.
There was no one among ali their ac-
quaintance who suited her fastidious
taste.
But one day Ralph Chesney returned
from his travels. Then Mrs. Vane's
organ, that stood for heart. thrilled
with satisfaction.
He was found at last!
A brilliant position and an immense
fortune, handsome person, polished
manners, aud a mind enriched by edu-
cation and years of travel. The gods
had been kind indeed Mrs Vane
really envied her sister her good for.
tune.
Rita understood her sisters plans,
and from the first she was unusually
cold to Ralph.
She knew that nearly always a man
simple and earnest is at the mercy OF
a clever designing woman; so all the
attentio Ralph bestowed on her she
considered the result of her sisters
scheming.
She declined all his invitations to
drive or walk. If he asked for dance,
either her card was full or she was too
weary to dance. In fact, she was
coldly indifferent, and she nearly drove
Mrs. Vane wild.
what fool that girl is!' she cried
in paroxysm of rage ''She must be
blind not to see the man adores her. !"
However, she dared not interfere.
Ritas manner prevented her touching
the dangerous subject. She remem-
bered their last interview.
Sometimes she wondered if Rita's in.
difference was not a bait to lure Ralph
on, but she put the thought away from
her with an impatient frown.
She knew her sisters sweet frank
nature too we'll to believe she could be
so deceptive.
And yet Rita felt that her life was
one mass of concealment; for this man
that she had vowed should be nothing
to her had won her heart.
1t was useless to deny it.
She tried to crush her love, but it
would not be controlled 1T her bidding.
Then she longed to throw aside her.
naughty manner, and let him see her
own winsome charming self.
Other men had loved her madly, why
should not hep
Then pride would whisper:
Remember how openly your sister
courts him. Do not let HIM think it is
with your consent.
This wavering frightened her, SO she
determined to crush her tormenting
love with an iron hand; and her first
step would be to 90 where she would
not meet him.
When Mrs. Vane learned of Rita's
intention to visit some friends in a dis
tant city, she flew into a perfect
passion.
What is the use of all my planning?"
she cried. Are you mad, that you
throw away this golden opportunity of
winning the richest and the hand
soonest man in the city? There is the
ball next week, too. What am l to
say to Mrs. Wainwright? Really I do
think"
And Mrs. Vane, overcome with dis
appointment and yexation, did the
best thing possible to win her own way
she burst into tears.
1t was so unexpected, that poor Rita
knew not what to do. To see her i'm
perious and self-possessed sister in
tears filled her with dismay.
'sOh, Claraw she cried tremblngly
''if you wish it SO much, / will not
leave until after the ball."
"a few days will make little differ
ence, }" she said YEARLY, as she went to
her room after making her peace with
her sister.
She passed the days in feverish ex-
citement, playing the part she had set
herself SO well, that not even her sister
dreamed of her love for Ralph.
The night OF the ball came at last.
When Rita entered the drawingroom.
Mrs. Wainwright exclaimed, Perfect!
and she could scarcely keep her eyes
off her lovely guest; but there was
slight feeling of uneasness in her
heart as she noticed the dazzlir= l.:.;i-